Honoring David McHam, a master teacher

Baylor Alumni Association photo

After more than 50 years of teaching, David McHam is retiring from the University of Houston at the end of this semester. I leapt at the opportunity to speak at the Jack J. Valenti School of Communication scholarship reception to honor him and present a plaque recognizing his contributions to UH and to the journalism world. My remarks are below.

Dr. McHam!

Yes I know, “Dr.” McHam is not accurate. I do like to call him that, and I’ll tell you why in a minute. But McHam, see, he’s always the first to correct me.

McHam does not hold a doctorate and he sure as hell isn’t an M.D. Though, now that I think about it, he probably has saved a few lives — students whose careers almost flatlined before they made it to their junior year.

We all know David, don’t we? You probably know a bit of his story. Born in South Carolina, raised in North Carolina. He began his journalism career at The Spartanburg Herald at age 17, an age when most folks think about working at the grocery store or delivering pizza for extra cash.

This Carolina boy goes on to get a master’s degree in journalism from Columbia. Oh and somewhere along the way, he served his country as a U.S. Marine. He added The Waco News-Tribune, The Houston Post, the Dallas Times Herald, the Associated Press and other publications to his resume. Any of us would be thrilled to have had as decorated a career at that point.

But that was not enough for David — he started a teaching career along the way.

And McHam has been teaching journalism since 1961. 1-9-6-1. He had stints at Baylor, Southern Methodist University, and the University of Texas at Arlington, and since 2001, he’s been with us at the University of Houston.

He wrote the book (literally) – Law and the Media in Texas. He’s won national teaching awards from SPJ and AEJMC. Couple of years ago Baylor honored him on the 50th anniversary of his teaching career. Tonight we get to honor him on his 54th.

In preparation for this speech I heard from several former students and some of his colleagues. Here’s a collection of what I heard.

Students and faculty alike will miss David — a scholar, a much-loved professor and a fun friend!

David always commented on how nice it was see you… even though he may have seen you the day before… or even just the morning before. It was always… “good to see you.. and good talking with you!”

David is one of those great journalists turned journalism professors who, because he cares so very much, gives his students one of the best educations in journalism that they could ever receive.

From students:

He really cares about his students. He always has my back and has gone above and beyond to provide me with the support I need to be a successful person in this world.

McHam doesn’t baby you, but he doesn’t give up on you either. He’s going to tell you things that make you think, and if you really think and ask questions, you’ll have the best education. He teaches you how to take ownership of your process of thinking, writing and learning.

McHam made it seem like he was just talking to you, not lecturing you. He would ask you, “Where’d you go to high school?” and he’d keep remembering that bit about you, and he’d make that personal effort. He reached out and tried to connect to each and every student.

He was one of the best people to teach you what journalism really was if you actually listened to what he had to say.

Even though this semester is his last on the faculty at UH, the great thing about McHam is that his teaching will last forever. As has been said, his pupils number in the hundreds if not thousands, and can be found at all levels of this business, from the copy desk to the corner office. Many of them, like myself, have turned to education, compelled to share what little we know, and to live up to his example of generosity, candor and esteem.

So yes, returning to my first point. McHam may not be a Doctor … but I took Latin in college, and I know this.

Doctor comes from the verb docere — which means “to teach.” And I can think of no other person in my life who personifies the word better.

David, you are a master teacher, an example for all educators to follow, and you have earned the praise and admiration of your students and colleagues. Please come to the podium and accept this honor.